Improved elastic chain



`In order to confine. the two halves ofthe link UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CELIUS E. RICHARDS, OF NORTH ATTLEBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVED ELASTIC CHAIN.

Specieation forming part of Letters Patent No. 54,411, dated May 1, 1866.

To all whom fit may concern.-

Be it known that I, GELIUs E. RICHARDS, ofNorth Attleborough, in the county ot Bristol and State of Massachusetts, have in vented an Improved Elastic Link or Chain to be applied to a vessels cable; and I do hereby declare the same to be fully described in the following specification and represented in the accompanying drawings.

Of the said drawings, Figure lis a representation ot' three of my improved links'as united together, each of the two outer or end links being furnished with a swiveling eye. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the same. Fig. 3 is a transverse section of one of the links,taken through one of its end bands. Fig. 4is arepresentation of halt of oneof the chambered links divested ot' its shackle.

The nature of my invention consists in the peculiar construction of the elastic link, whereby the same, or a series of them, when applied to the cable ot' a vessel, will most effectivelyv counteract the sudden shocks and violent strains to which a cable is often subjected.

In carrying out my said invention, I construct the body of the link ot' metal and as a hollow rectangular box composed of two parts.

In the said drawings, A and B denote the two halves or parts of the link, cachot" which is formed of a plate of meta-l bent into the form as shown in Fig. 4, in which a d represent the two parallel sides, and b the end or connection piece. The said parts A and B, if desirable, may be formed 0I cast-iron or any other suitable metal or composition of metals. The twoparts so formed are to be put together as shown in Fig. 1, so as to constitute a rectangular box closed on all sides and at its ends.

together, as well as to strengthen it, I dispose two metallic bands, G C, transversely around and near the extremities of the body portion ofthe link and attach the said bands to the links securely by means of solder applied to two sides ortwo inner surfaces of each band, the other two sides or surfacesof each band being let't free in order to enable the ear portions or projecting ends c c of the link to slide freely within or through the same. Within the chamber of the link so made I arrange a block of india rubber, E, whose dimensions correspond with, or nearly with, those of the said chamber.

To each of the ear portions c c of the link I attach one side ot' a shackle, G, by means of bolts or pins d d, &c., extendingthrough them in manner as shown iu the dipfrttvings. These shackles are for the pnrpos/,of coupling the links together. To each/ftI the end shackles I attach a swivel, D, in order to prevent the said links from kinking when in use or applied to a cable.

My invention is intended to be inserted in or form part of the cable of a vessel and may be applied at any desirable point between the anchor and the windlass or part from which the cable is projected.

My invention has several important advan-v tages. In the first pla-ce, by forming the link as a closed chamber and disposing a solid block of rubber within the same the rubber is not only protected on all sides from injurious abrasion, but is so arranged as -to effectually prevent any sudden strain from producing any shock on the cable. In the second place, itis not only simple in construction, but is very strong and compact and little liable of gettin out of order or deranged.

I do not claim, broadly, the application of indiarubber to a metallic link in order to render it capable of yielding under great strain,

as I am aware that such is not new.

What I claim as my invention is My improved elasticlink, (or chain composed of a series of such 1inks,)l the same having its parts A B O constructed, arranged, and applied together, and so connected as to operate when applied to a cable substantially in man- 

